Kepler and ESA signed the HydRON contract during IAC in Milan. Photo: ESA

Kepler Communications will lead development of the European Space Agency (ESA) HydRON optical laser network under a new contract announced Wednesday. Kepler will lead a team supported by Tesat Spacecom and Airbus Space and Defence with a 36 million euro ($39 million) contract.

HydRON — High-throughput Optical Network in Space — is ESA’s “fiber in the sky” program that looks to demonstrate an optical multi-orbit transport network in space. 

The first stage of the project, Element #1, will use the Kepler Network to demonstrate a high capacity, low latency data transport system in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). It will build on Kepler’s technologies for its commercial space offering. 

Kepler will contribute spacecraft constellation design, manufacturing, networking, and operation. Tesat will contribute expertise in space optical and network payload development, while Airbus will provide access to optical ground stations, terrestrial networking elements, and operational and system engineering expertise for demonstrations with ESA missions. 

Kepler selected Tesat’s optical terminals for the company’s constellation in 2022 and validated them with an in-space demonstration between two satellites in LEO in June. The three companies announced their intent to compete for the program together earlier this year. 

“Kepler is proud to lead the HydRON Element #1 contract, collaborating with Tesat and Airbus to deliver a state-of-the-art optical constellation that will enable the development of terabit-per-second data relay in space,” said Mina Mitry, CEO and co-founder of Kepler. “This program is aligned with Kepler’s core mission to extend internet connectivity to space and will improve secure access to space-generated data for all ESA member states.”